European Central Bank, Frankfurt, Germany

Design progress

COOP HIMMELB(L)AU, designers of a new building for the European Central Bank (ECB) are aiming to start construction on the site of the Grossmarkthalle (Wholesale Market) in Frankfurt next year, after the project went to planning this March. The building is fashioned from three basic elements: the Grossmarkthalle, a ‘groundscraper’ and two polygonal twin towers. A sky-lit vestibule, known as the ‘vertical city’, connects the two towers. The ‘groundscraper’ runs parallel to the Grossmarkthalle in order to leave the listed building untouched. The 100,000m² area should accommodate 2,500 workplaces, parking and all the necessary technical facilities.